Japanese to visit shorelands center

LAYTON — A delegation from several ministries of the Japanese government will visit The Nature Conservancy's Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve Visitor Center Monday.

Their visit is part of a two-week tour of the United States designed to present an introduction to the nation's political, economic and social systems.

"We are extremely honored that The Nature Conservancy's center was chosen for a site visit by this distinguished touring group," said Elaine York, the conservancy's conservation program manager. "I believe they are interested in how the conservancy works with citizens to improve and enhance both the environment and communities."

The Japanese are visiting the United States because of bilateral agreements with their government. The Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy arranged the visit to Utah under the sponsorship of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Japanese will get an overview of The Nature Conservancy and then tour the Shorelands Preserve to learn specifically about the conservancy's outreach programs, York said.

Krzysztof Barchanski, program director for the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, said the Shorelands Preserve was chosen for a site visit because it showcases innovative ways that governments and nonprofit organizations are working with citizens.

An ongoing volunteer program, a fourth-grade student education program and a variety of outreach activities are a large part of the mission of the visitor center at the preserve, York said.